Real Life Story

"It's not about me. It's about caring for these vulnerable children." With three young children, Allison and Dan aren't able to go on overseas mission trips or volunteer for many service projects at their church. But they're able to serve their community through Bethany's Safe Families for Children (SFFC) ministry, a national movement of compassion that gives hope to families in crisis. Through SFFC, parents may voluntarily have their children cared for by trained host families while they seek to restore stability in their lives. Allison and Dan have welcomed nine children into their home through SFFC, such as a 5-year-old boy whose mother was fleeing a domestic violence situation. "So many of these mothers are desperate," Allison said. "It's hard to imagine having no one to turn to for help even in the midst of a crisis." She has found that when she opens up her home, God provides the necessary resources. "When these children arrive at my house, I get an extra measure of grace," she said. "I've had to realize that it doesn't really matter if my house gets a little messy or things get a little crazy. It's not about me. It's about caring for these vulnerable children."